It doesn’t look like Michael Bennett is going to play another down with the Eagles.
The Eagles’ defensive end was on NFL Network on Friday morning and was asked about a recent report that the Eagles have been discussing trading him (see story).
“I don’t know what’s happening with the Eagles,” Bennett said.
Shortly after that interview, Philly.com’s Jeff McLane reported the Eagles, who have been trying to trade Bennett, will release him if they can’t find a taker.
Based on what Bennett said Friday morning, that will be OK with him.
Here’s the most important part of what Bennett said on Friday morning. He was asked what it’s like to hear his name in trade rumors:
You’re always caught off guard when your name is brought up in the trade block or being traded but you understand that people want to acquire your services. I think we (are) in a tough situation as far as the salary cap, and I’m not willing to take a pay cut. I actually want a pay raise at this point. Whatever happens, just to know that whatever team I go to I want to get paid more than I am now.
Well, that certainly won’t help the Eagles trade Bennett. Most teams aren’t lining up to trade for a 33-year-old player who is unhappy with his contract. They at least aren’t lining up to trade away anything valuable.
Bennett was the Eagles’ best defensive end in 2018 and is under contract for two more seasons. He carries base salaries of $6.2 million and $7 million over the next two years with cap hits of $7.2 million and $8 million. That sounds like a lot, but it really isn’t when we’re talking about pass rushers. In fairness, he probably does deserve a raise, but the Eagles aren’t going to give him one, especially after re-signing Brandon Graham to a three-year, $40 million deal.
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It sounds like Bennett is trying to force the Eagles to cut him free so he can test the open market as a free agent. If the Eagles cut or trade him, they would do so without leaving any dead money. They would save his entire $7.2 million cap hit in 2019 and $8 million hit in 2020.
The problem is, of course, Bennett was their best defensive end last season and his production won’t be easy to match. Although, Bennett can be a tricky personality fit. The Eagles seemed to handle him well for the most part, but an unhappy Bennett doesn’t seem like a good thing for a locker room.
Without Bennett in 2019, the Eagles will have Graham (whom they re-signed), Derek Barnett coming back from a shoulder surgery and unproven Josh Sweat. Chris Long’s situation is unclear. He’s under contract, but has said he wants to play, not just be a locker room guy. This is also a deep draft class with defensive linemen, so the Eagles could replenish there as well.
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